Tlou Cleopas Monyepao (born December 24, 1979), professionally known as DJ Cleo, is a South African
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, between the late 1980s and 1990s. It is a sound that features the use of African sounds and samples. Kwaito songs occur at a slower tempo range than other styles of h ...
,
House music
House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago's underground ...
and
Hip hop
Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...
producer. He was born in
Gauteng
Gauteng ( , ; Sotho-Tswana languages, Sotho-Tswana for 'place of gold'; or ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa.
Situated on the Highveld, Gauteng is the smallest province by land area in South Africa. Although Gauteng accounts f ...
.
DJ Cleo has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the South African music industry, he produced successful singles and albums for various artists before going on to produce and release his debut album "Es'khaleni" in 2004. His 2012 Single "Facebook" earned him three awards at
18th SAMA. His eleventh album ''Eskhaleni 11'' (2019), which include single "Yile Gqom" and ''Yile Piano, Vol. 1'' (2019).
Life and career
Early life
Tlou Cleopas Monyepao was born in Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa. Monyepao attended Springs Boys High School.
With help of Hilde Buhr he developed his creativity reconnection so he started making music.
Career
He began his career as a producer of the Unrestricted Breakfast Show hosted by
DJ Fresh on
YFM
YFM (99.2 FM) is a "Youth" radio station in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 1997, the station is formatted to mostly play urban music genres such as Kwaito, Hip Hop
Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular m ...
. Cleo found himself enjoying producing for radio and soon started exploring producing music for himself and others.
His debut recording was "Will of Steel", which featured on DJ Glen Lewis/DJ Fresh's "Gatecrasher double CD compilation.
He remixed Bucy Rhadebe single "Uzugcin’ Impilo Yam", originally released in 2020.
Television
He was a producer of the
e.tv soapie
Rhythm City (TV series)
''Rhythm City'' is a South African television musical drama series produced by Quizzical Pictures. It is an e.tv original production that aired on the country's free-to-air television channel e.tv from 2007 to 2021. The story revolves around ...
. In 2013, he was the co-host alongside Angie Khumalo of documentary reality show ''Vaya Mzansi'' season 1 on
SABC 1
SABC 1 is a South African public television network operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). It broadcasts programming in English and Nguni languages.
SABC 1 was established in 1996 following the SABC's restructuring of it ...
.
Cleo competed on ''Lip Sync Battle Africa'' - Season 2. He performed live on ''
Idols South Africa'' - Season 17.
Discography
Studio albums
* ''Es'khaleni'' (2004)
* ''Es'khaleni Ext. 2'' (2005)
* ''Es'khaleni Zone 3''
* ''Es'khaleni Phase 4'' (2007)
* ''Es'khaleni Unit 5'' (2008)
* ''Es'khaleni 6'' (2009)
* ''Es'khaleni 7'' (2010)
* ''Cassanova Vol. 1'' (2011)
* ''Es'khaleni Ext.2'' (2013)
* ''Disclosure'' (2014)
* ''Es'khaleni 11'' (2019)
* ''Yile Piano, Vol. 1'' (2021)
Awards and nominations
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cleo, DJ
1979 births
Living people
People from Vosloorus
South African house musicians
South African record producers
South African electronic dance music DJs